Wisconsin native, William Davis Evans (1852-1936), moved to Williamsburg, Iowa, in 1858. He attended the University of Iowa, graduating with his A.B. in 1878 and his law degree the following year. In 1879, he entered into partnership with T.B. Taylor, to form the legal firm of Taylor and Evans in Hampton, Iowa. They remained partners until Evans became a district court judge in 1903. He was the district court judge for the 11th judicial district of Iowa. Evans taught law at the University of Iowa from 1907 to 1908 while remaining on the bench. In 1908, William D. Evans was appointed to the Supreme Court of Iowa. He served as the chief justice in 1909, 1916, 1921, and 1927. Evans retired from judicial service in 1934. He was a member of the American, Iowa State, and Franklin County Bar Associations and was active in the Congregational Church. Evans also owned and managed several farms.

The papers of William D. Evans are comprised of fifty-nine items dating from 1873 to 1936. Along with memoirs and biographical sketches, the papers include correspondence, judicial opinions, speeches, and materials from his student days, such as poetry and essays. They are open for research and information on the literary rights is available in the repository.